Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fernendes and others booked by CBI over violation of aviation rules

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and several others over the violation of certain international aviation rules, an official said on Tuesday, 29th May.

The CBI is carrying out searches at six location in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru at properties which belongs to Fernandes. The case relates to alleged violation of norms by directors of the aviation company for relaxation of 5/20 rules in the aviation sector to get licenses for international operations, as well as violation of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB)rules, the officials said.

Set by the Civil Aviation Ministry the 5/20 rule is a norm of the Indian Aviation Ministry under which national carriers are required to have five years of operational experience and a fleet of minimum 20 aircraft to fly overseas.

Commencing from 16 June 1997, Air Asia Berhad is a Malaysian low-cost airline company headquartered near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Besides Anthony Francis Tony Fernandes, Group CEO Air Asia Malaysia, the company Air Asia, Travel Food owner Sunil Kapoor, Air Asia Director R Venkatraman, aviation consultant Deepak Talwar, Director of Singapore-based SNR Trading Rejendra Dubey and unidentified public servants have been named in the FIR.

Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fernandes allegedly lobbied with government servants for clearances, removal of existing 5/20 rule of aviation and change in regulatory policies, the agency has alleged.